An imaginative campaign to save the eastern barred bandicoot from extinction one beard at a time has come to an exciting end. Warrnambool West Primary School students cheered and laughed as principal Phil Barnes had his beard shaved off on Friday. Mr Barnes has been growing his facial hair since March to raise money for the bandicoots and Zoos Victoria’s guardian dog trial. More than $1200 was raised through sponsorship and donations which will be presented to Zoos Victoria when school representatives attend the Fighting Extinction Schools Showcase in Melbourne next Friday. The school bettered last year’s fundraising total of $855, which until Friday, was the most raised for Zoos Victoria by any school, a title Warrnambool West will continue to hold. “This result is the best result I could have ever dreamed of for a school of 126 kids,” Mr Barnes said. Guardian dog program co-ordinator Dave Williams visited the school with dog Albus and said they were grateful for their support.

Mr Barnes has been growing his facial hair since March to raise money for the bandicoots and Zoos Victoria’s guardian dog trial.

More than $1200 was raised through sponsorship and donations which will be presented to Zoos Victoria when school representatives attend the Fighting Extinction Schools Showcase in Melbourne next Friday.

The school bettered last year’s fundraising total of $855, which until Friday, was the most raised for Zoos Victoria by any school, a title Warrnambool West will continue to hold.

“This result is the best result I could have ever dreamed of for a school of 126 kids,” Mr Barnes said.

Guardian dog program co-ordinator Dave Williams visited the school with dog Albus and said they were grateful for their support.